The fine line between ‘eating clean’ and disordered eating

Since starting the K2 Movement on Monday, I’ve been struggling with what to do for my meals. One large part of me wants to make myself up an eating plan – deciding when and what I can eat during the day. Now this wouldn’t be depriving myself at all, I would make sure I was getting the right amount of every food group, and enough so to keep my full and satisfied. That being said, I’m not sure if this is my eating disordered brain trying to trick me back into dieting. I could see my ‘clean eating’, although it has totally good intentions now, turning into something more. jpeg

I would ideally love to be able to eat intuitively, when and whatever I wanted. I’m just not sure if I am at that place yet.

Most of you have probably heard of Orthorexia. The National Eating Disorders website defines it as such:

“Orthorexia starts out as an innocent attempt to eat more healthfully, but orthorexics become fixated on food quality and purity.  They become consumed with what and how much to eat, and how to deal with “slip-ups.” “

url-2I constantly feel like there is always an ED just lurking behind the next corner, waiting for me to let it in. That’s when I have to remember that I AM the one in control. I recently read the book ‘Brain Over Binge’ by Kathryn Hansen. I put this as a MUST read for those dealing with binges (bulimia, binge eating disorder, etc.). The gist of the book is that we have the power to re-wire our brains, so as to not need to binge. It all comes down to us. We have the ability to say no to a binge, just like we have the ability to say no to returning to our eating disordered ways. We are in the driver’s seat.

Knowing this, I’ve decided what’s best for me it to allow myself lots of lenience in my diet. From reading Kayla’s HELP guide, I know the amount of servings of each food group I should be getting. I will roughly try to eat that each day. I will NOT by any means, count calories, or get upset should I not reach all the food groups (or if I overshoot), as this is life and there always needs to be room for slip ups.

So now I leave the question to whoever’s reading this – What do you think is best? Should someone recovering from an eating disorder follow a structured eating plan?

xx Liv

“Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom.”

– Marilyn Ferguson

12 thoughts on “The fine line between ‘eating clean’ and disordered eating”

  1. Pominzie says:
    Reply

    I share these thoughts too with you! I believe following a structured eating plan is really great. It keeps binges away, and helps you feel full and energized from getting everything you need. I would say, if you feel yourself spiraling out of control and restricting or excessively over doing a group of food. Maybe rethink it then. Otherwise, enjoy that meal plan. 🙂

    Like

  2. saraskijourney says:
    Reply

    Wow reading your comment it’s like it could have been me writing this. I’ve never been officially diagnosed (but that was the point: I didn’t want people to know!) and I used to binge, then either make myself sick or not eat for a day to make up for it. I’ve just started Kayla’s movement (and a new blog too- saraskijourney.wordpress.com) and I’ve already become slightly obsessed with food. I don think anyone can answer that question for you: only you can. For me, a structured “plan” stops me from bingeing/ eating rubbish because it’s easily available, but the flip side of that is that I have to work hard not to become obsessed. Good luck 🙂 Sx

    Like

  3. Melissa says:
    Reply

    I also read Brain over Binge which really helped me with my negative thoughts around eating as I realised that not all the thoughts I have are my own. I try to follow Kayla’s guide of servings to have each day, I find it is a really good guide and helps me to focus more on nutrition and food variety rather than calories and weight! You should give it a go 🙂

    Like

Leave a comment